Sports
‘Ears are bleeding’: America, sports world stunned by trainwreck national anthem
Step aside Fergie, we have a new contender for the worst rendition of the American national anthem ever heard.
Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby is supposed to be a relaxed hit-and-giggle, but players and fans were doing an awful lot of giggling and shaking of their heads before the exhibition event got underway.
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Country singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress performed the USA’s national anthem, but even the most kind listener acknowledged she completely butchered the Star Spangled Banner.
Andress was completely out of tune and making matters worse, her awful screeching rendition was performed without even a hint of irony.
Players including Phillies star Alec Bohm could barely contain a chuckle as the anthem rung out around Globe Life field in Arlington, Texas.
Watch the trainwreck USA national anthem in the video above
Andress, a four-time Grammy Award nominee, immediately began copping harsh criticism on social media.
Popular baseball analyst Jomboy wrote on X: “If I was at a local In Memoriam ceremony that anthem would’ve made more sense.”
MLB writer Anthony Castrovince said: “Gonna be lots of bombs at the HR Derby tonight. And the first one was the Anthem.”
Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde added: “Ancient national anthem wisdom: be good, or be fast. This was neither.”
Michael Schwab posted: “My ears are bleeding. One of the worst national anthem renditions ever.” His tweet has received 23,000 likes.
Barstool Sports’ Frankie Borrelli said: “Is this a real national anthem at the derby? Holy sh*t.”
One baseball fan said: “That was the single worst National Anthem performance of all-time oh my god.”
A second joked: “If you or a loved one listened to the National Anthem during the 2024 Home Run Derby, you may be entitled to financial compensation.”
“Ingrid andress giving Fergie a run for worst national anthem ever performed,” said a third.
Another said: “This country needed an anthem like that to unite us tonight.”
The Home Run Derby features the MLB’s biggest hitters try to hit as many home runs as they can in three minutes. The event is held the day before the MLB All-Star Game.
Andress, 32, is a four-time Grammy Award nominee, and may have put herself in the running among the historically bad anthem performances.
Roseanne Barr’s 1990 rendition at a San Diego Padres game — complete with shout-singing the verses of “The Star-Spangled Banner” while grabbing her crotch and spitting on the pitcher’s mound — is the bar for comparing lowly attempts at the song.
Pop singer Fergie delivered an ear-splittingly awful attempt at the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend, for which she later apologised.
“I’m a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone,” Fergie said.
“I love this country and honestly tried my best.”
On that occasion NBA stars including Steph Curry and Draymond started giggling during Fergie’s rendition.
It’s been a big week in the world of baseball, with Australia’s Travis Bazzana making history when he was taken by the Cleveland Guardians with the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft.
The 21-year-old from Sydney is set to pocket an eye-watering A$15 million for his troubles.
— With NY Post
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